Former Nigerian international and sports executive Udezue don throw im weight behind Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi ahead of di Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) election wey dem schedule for 15 October, say dis vote na between talent and structure. Udezue, wey play for Nigeria Under-18s and senior teams before im become di first Nigerian wey NBA certify as agent for United States, say di country never lack players but watin dem need na enterprise wey go dey around dem.
For one detailed pitch, Udezue point to say Basketball Africa League don add more than $250 million to host-country GDP and 37,000 jobs since 2021, with NBA dey project $5.4 billion and over 650,000 jobs by 2034 as di league dey shift to permanent investor-owned franchises from 2027. Im argue say Nigeria, with more than 220 million people, get stronger hand pass Kigali, Dakar, Rabat or Pretoria for bringing dat capital.
Udezue call for mid-sized, multi-use arenas across di six geopolitical zones, national digital database wey go cover every player, coach, referee and club, and professional management of leagues and national teams as commercial properties. Im say government funding alone no fit sustain di growth of di sport and im urge di federation make Nigerian basketball investable.
On Abdullahi, im highlight PhD for mechanical engineering from University of Manchester and current role as Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria, plus two years of personal acquaintance and di grassroots DAM Foundation Championship wey dem dey hold every December for Okene. Udezue also call make former internationals hold real authority over technical matters, national teams and youth development under di next administration, insist say di federation must unite rather than divide di basketball community.
